Lockable latching means for containers



Oct. 18, 1955 c. s. GEHRIE 2,720,773

LOCKABLE LATCHING MEANS FOR CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 16, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l 'I' 1.111 11 11,1%;2 VilllIlllllllll/ll1111111111114'11111111111111111111' flllllfl/A m v 4 .u Q 1. '11n vllIlrl/l/rlll/lll/llvll/11111111111111111111rllllllllllll/lllllfllIIA Oct. 18, 1955 Filed Dec. 16, 1953 C. S. GEHRIE.

LOCKABLE LATCHING MEANS FOR CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 4/ /4 42 5 1N V EN TOR.

4543 45 l a 57 'flas 5f $2523?,

United States Patent O LOCKABLE LATCHIN G MEANS FOR CONTAINERS Charles S. Gehrie, Mendham, N. J., assignor to Presto Lock Company, Garfield, N. J., a limited partnership consisting of Abraham Levine, lvendham, N. J., a general partner; Mack Povill, New York, N. Y., a general partner; and A. Loeb Salkin, New York, N. Y., a limited partner.

Application December 16, 1953, Serid No. 398,515

4 Claims. (Cl. 70--7G) This invention relates to an improved construction of lockable latching means for releasably securing together separable parts, such as separable sections of a carrying case or other container, or the like.

The invention has for an object to provide a lockable latching structure having, in combination, a tiltable latch means and manipulatable means to actuate said latch means including key controlled means to lock the manipulatable means against operation.

The invention has for a further object to provide a lockable latching structure having tiltable latch means to engage and disengage a keeper plate, said latch means being enclosed within a housing structure which supports an externally projecting, spring returned, push button member that, when manually depressed, operates to tilt the latch means whereby to release it from latched engagement with said keeper plate; said push button member being provided with a rotatable key barrel, and said housing structure containing a key actuatable bolt member axially aligned with said push button member so as to be rotatable by a key inserted through said key barrel, whereby, in one position, the bolt member is disposed to prevent manual depression of the push button member, thus locking the latch means against release, and, in another position, is disposed to free the push button member for manual depression, whereby to release the latch means.

The above and other objects will be understood from a. reading of the following detailed description of this invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational View of the lockable latching means in latched relation to a cooperative keeper plate, whereby to secure in closed together relation the separable sections of a carrying case, the latter being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the lockable latching means in latched relation to a cooperative keeper plate (the latter being broken away in part), the bolt member being disposed to free the push button member subject to latch member releasing manipulation, this View being drawn on an enlarged scale; Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section, taken on line 4 4 in Fig. 2. t

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing the tiltable latch member, the push button member and the bolt member in side elevation.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, similar to that of Fig. 3, but showing the bolt member disposed to prevent latch member releasing manipulation of the push button member.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing a bolt member actuating key inserted through the key barrel of the push button member, and operatively engaged with the bolt member, ready to actuate the latter.

"ice

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character 10 indicates one of the separable parts, e. g., one section of a carrying case, and 11 the other separable part, e. g., the other cooperative section of the carrying case, to which the lockable latching means of this invention is applied. As shown, the lockable latching portion is axed to the carrying case section 10, and a keeper plate 12 to receive latching engagement thereof is aixed to the carrying case section 11.

The latching portion of the lockable latching means comprises a housing structure formed by a bottom frame 13, a top frame 14, and an enclosing housing member 1S. The bottom frame 13 is provided with upstanding side walls 16, from the free margins of which clinching lugs 17 project. The top frame 14 rests upon the top edges of the side walls 16 of the bottom frame 13 so as to bridge the interior of the latter, and the side margins or" said top frame 14 are notched to pass the clinching lugs 17, whereupon the latter are inturned over the top frame 14, thus uniting said top and bottom frames in assembled relation. Dependent from the rearward end of said top frame 14 is a rear end wall 1S, and dependent from the forward end of said top frame is a front wall 19, the latter being pierced by an opening 20 through which the slotted keeper plate 12 can enter said latching portion. The housing member 15 is overlaid upon the assembled bottom and top frames 13-14, said housing member having dependent side walls 21 to embrace said assembly. Clinching lugs 22 depend from said housing member side walls 21, and are inturned beneath the bottom frame 13, thereby aiiixing the housing member to the bottom and top frame assembly, thus completing the housing structure which contains the latching portion of the lockable latching means.

Pivotally supported upon the bottom frame 13 within the housing structure is a tiltable latch member 23. This latch member is arranged to rock up and down about a transverse fulcrum that is provided by laterally spaced rocker elements 24 dependent from its sides to bear upon said bottom frame. To hold the tiltable latch member 23 against displacement from its operative relation to the bottom frame 13, the latter is provided with slots 25 in which are engaged positioning lugs 26 which extend from the extremities of the rocker elements 24. At its forward end, said tiltable latch member is provided with a latch tongue 27, preferably of reduced width, that is directed toward and disposed in alignment with the opening 26 at the front end of the housing structure. The free end portion of said latch tongue is provided with a latch nosing 28 dependent from its under face. At its rearward end, the tiltable latch member 23 is formed to provide a bifurcate tail piece formed by laterally spaced fork arms 29, respectively having inwardly projecting depressible ears 30 angular to their extremities. Means is provided for yieldably urging the tiltable latch member to a normal down rocked position in which the latch tongue 27 with its nosing 28 is down thrust to its latching position. The means for this purpose comprises a spring member formed by a transverse portion 31, which crosses and bears downwardly upon the latch tongue 27, and by rearwardly extending leg portions 32, the rear end portions of which bear against the bottom frame 13, said leg portions 32 being upwardly bowed to provide knees 33 which bear against the underside of the top frame 14, whereby to cause said leg portions to exert down thrusting tension upon the transverse portion 31.

The top frame 14 is provided with an opening 34 disposed to be straddled by the fork arms 20 of the tiltable latch member 23. The housing member 15 is also provided with an opening 3S aligned with said opening 34 of the .top transe .Extending outwardly Ythrough the housing member opening 35 is a tubular bushing or collar 36 that is suitably aliixed to. said housing member so as to proieet upwardly therefrom through the wall of the .Carrying easesseetion 10. f The outer Eend 137 of the bushing or eollar 3.6 is .turnedoverthe external surfaee of the .Carrying ease Vsection 10, V:thereby aliixing the housing structure to the underside of the latter adiaeent to `and. so as tobe directed .toward the .edge thereofagainst which Closes the edge of the wall 'of .the other carrying Section il.

Disposed to oyerlie lthe ears/.310V ofthe .forked arms 29 of the tiltable latch member 23, to. thence project upwardly .and 4.cnit-wardly through the opening ..34 of the top frame 14 and through the bushing er collar 36, is a hollowrpush-but-ton member .3S which Vis closed at its outer or upper end ,andis provided with la downwardly open intei-nal eha-m'ber 39. The lower end .of said push-button member iis provided with external flange portions 40, whih, by abutment against the underside of the top frame 14, predetermine YVthe extent of'normal outward projection of the push-button member. In `order to prevent rotative shi-ft or displacement of the push-button member,

Y while nevertheless permitting axial movements thereof,

the rearmost /ange por ion 40 is provided with a notch 41 which receivesrand straddles a guide post 42 that depends trom the .top frame 14.

Supported in a depressed circular seat 43, with which therbottorn frame 13 is provided, is a rotatable bolt member `44 which -is disposed in axially aligned relation to and beneath .the push-button member 3S. The external diameter of said bolt member 44 is somewhat less than the internal diameter of the chamber 39 of said push-button member, -so that, at proper times, said push-button member can be moved telescopically downward or inward relatiyeto said bolt member. Y

Projecting radially from the sides of the bolt member 44 are one or more bolt projections 45. The side walls o f lthe push-button member 38 are upwardly indented by clearance notches 46 with which said bolt projections 45 are aligned when the bolt member 44 is disposed in its normal non-locking position, so that, under such conditions, downward or inward movement of the push-button member can be manually effected.

Y The bolt member 44 is provided with an upwardly open annular lcavity l47 surrounding an upstanding central por- ,tion r48 thereof, Surrounding said cavity 47 is an upstanding external wall which is cut away Vto reduced height at one side49 thereof, whereby to provide a substantially semicircular wall section 50 at the opposite side. The respective ends of said wall section 50 provide respective .stop shoulders 51 and 52, which cooperate with an inter-V Y nal stop projection or rib 53 with which the push-button member is provided, whereby rotation of the bolt member 44 to and from its locking position is limited to 180. Footed in the annular cavity 47 of the bolt member 44, so Yas Vto be `disposed intermediate said bolt member and the push-button member 38, isa compression spring 54. This compression spring functions to yieldably urge the Ypush-button member to its upwardly or outwardly projected Vnormal position.

Mounted in the outer end of the push button member 38 -is-a rotatable key barrel 55 which is provided with a .keyadmission opening 56 of a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of a selected key -57 by which the lock bolt 44 is to be actuated. Said key barrelis disposed in axially aligned relation to the central portion 48 of the lock bolt member. interposed between ,the upperrend of the compression spring 54 and said key barrel is a washer 58, which, under the tensional pressure of said compression spring, Imakes `frictional contact With Vthe underside of the .key barrel, whereby Y'to retain the same :against non-actuated'rotative movement. Formed in the central portion 48 of the bolt member 44 is an upwardly open transverse lslot 59, ywhich is adapted to be engagedby the ikeyr57 when the latter is entered through ametric channel 61 formed in' the bottom surface of the bolt member 44. t When the bolt member 44 `is rotated by an inserted key ,57, Ysaid bolt member will yield lupd/artigli. against the tensional down thrust of the icompression spring 54, so as to ride oyer `said stop rib 60 the channel 61 is again ybrought into alignment with said stop rib.

To releasably hold thecarrying case sections 10 and 11 in closed together relation, ,the slotted ,keeper v.plate 12 is entered into the housing structure through` the opening 2t) to pass beneath the tiltable latch member 23, which yields to its Vinward movement whereby the latch nosing :28 rides oyer the samer-angl into the slot of said keeper plate.. To release the ilatehing .ineens to Pernuit reopening of the YCarrying ease sections, the look t. .lt 44 being disposed in its non-.1Y 'elsing position; (see Figs.- 2, 3, .4 and 5), :the push-button .member .38 `is pressed downward or inward, so Jthat its bottom end fllrtllsiY engagement with the slotted keeper plate .12, Isonthatthe latter can be withdrawn. Such ,operative movement of the push-button :member 38 is AVnot im edd by AthV bolt member .44, ,sinee the elearanee notches .4.6 tof the push-button member straddle .and ,-reeeive the bolt profY jections v45 of. said bolt member; Y Y

If Y,it is .desired to look .the latehing means against manipulation .and release, the key 5:7 is inserted through the key barrel `55 and into ,the slot 15,9 .of boh; member 44, whereupon, by .turning the key, said :bolt member is rotated to its looking position, thereby carrying its bolt. nrojeetions A5 Yout of nient .with :the clearance notches y4.6.of the :push-,button rnernber ,38, .and beneath Xthe .lower end .of aid push 1button member :(see Eig16l .S. .dsposed .the bolt .projections .4.5 ,obstruct .downward or inward nio mentV of the push-button member, whereby La g .means releasing maninulationthereof is nreyented-V `The key .57' een :be withdrawn 'to leaye the -fholt rnernber in said :looking position, .thus ipreuenting unauthorized. .re.- lease of the latching means, which can thereupon e )rrly .be released after the key -57- .is again :inserted .andronerated Vto V,return the bolt member gt4 :to lits normalmen- Zlooking:position Y Y r. t

From the above, it will now be understood that this invention provides a very simple push-button manipulatable latehing means including a key .aetuatable bolt member Vtor looking said -latohi-ng .'.nreans against ,unauthorized manipulation and release.Y

.Having .now V.deseribed :my invention, ldaun:

'1. In a loekable latehing Istrutture for holding the body .and elosure .of-.a eontainer, .or other -senarable natte, .in Closed together relation, ,and Ywhere a kenner nl'ate is mounted l.on oneV ofsueh lvnous,k a latehingguieeus mountable onrthe other part, withwhich the keeper plateis vengageable, said latching means ,comprising -a housing assembly formed .by spaced 'bottoni .and tou ltrames including means'to secure said A' l tion, a tiltable latch member supported by the bottom frame, said latch member 'having a "bifurcate "tail Vpiece, -spring'rmeans to yieldably rock Saidlatch member to ilatching position, -a downwardly open hollow pushbutton member exteriorly projecting upwardly -thf'rough ber having'cooperative means to restrain `rotation :of

frames in .assembled .relathe latter, said push-button member having external flange portions to engage the top frame whereby to limit exterior projection of the push-button member through the latter, a key barrel mounted in the upper closed end of the push-button member, a rotatable bolt member axially aligned with the open lower end of said pushbutton member, said bottom frame having a circular seat to support the bolt member, compression spring means between the bolt member and the push-button member, said bolt member being engageable by a key inserted through the key barrel and being subject to rotation by the key to locking or non-locking position, said bolt member having at least one radial bolt projection, and said push-button member having clearance notch means indenting its lower end portion for aligned opposition to said radial bolt projection when the bolt member occupies its non-locking position, whereby the push-button member is free for downward latch member releasing movement, rotation of said bolt member to its locking position being operative to move the lock projection out of alignment with the clearance notch means to a position effective to obstruct and thus prevent downward latch member releasing movement of the push-button member.

2. In a lockable latching structure according to claim 1, wherein said bolt member and push-button member have cooperative means operative to limit rotation of the former with respect to both its non-locking and locking positions.

3. In a lockable latching structure according to claim 1, wherein said bolt member and the supporting seat therefor have cooperative means to yieldably retain the former in key receiving aligned relation to the key barrel in both its non-locking and locking positions.

4. In a lockable latching structure according to claim 3, wherein said bolt member and push-button member have cooperative means operative to limit rotation of the former with respect to both its non-locking and locking positions.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 597,669 Dillenbeck Jan. 18, 1898 872,775 Weber Dec. 3, 1907 955,856 Dittmar Apr. 26, 1910 1,324,162 Lau Dec. 9, 1919 2,001,805 Wheary May 21, 1935 2,161,519 Loftin et al. June 6, 1939 2,311,298 Marsh Feb. 16, 1943 2,642,734 Cheney June 23, 1953 

